Prion-like protein found in plants
Scientists have determined that a plant protein involved in the timing of flowering could in fact be a prion. This is the first time that a possible prion has been identified in plants, and it may play a role in a plant's 'memory' of cold exposure during winter. Ref. Source 8o.
Plant Intelligence (Hover)
Breakthrough study shows how plants sense the world. Plants lack eyes and ears, but they can still see, hear, smell and respond to environmental cues and dangers. They do this with the aid of hundreds of membrane proteins that sense microbes or other stresses. Researchers now have created the first network map for 200 of these proteins. The map shows how a few key proteins act as master nodes critical for network integrity, and the map also reveals unknown interactions. Source 8y.
Imagine if plants could communicate with each other and decide the direction they wanted to go! For instance instead of making delicious fruit they produced none or poisonous types. Think about it what makes a plant decide these things.
Plants manipulate their soil environment to assure a steady supply of nutrients. Dissolved carbon in soil can quench plants' ability to communicate with soil microbes, allowing plants to fine-tune their relationships with symbionts. Experiments show how synthetic biology tools can help understand environmental controls on agricultural productivity. Source 3a.